Manukau City Centre continues its evolution

I went out for my regular checks of the Manukau Innovative Street Pilot on Osterley in Manukau City Centre yesterday to see how things were progressing as well as grab photos for the archives. Upon arriving at Osterley Way I am very happy with how things have panned out for Stage 1 of the trials but there is a missing connection which will place pressure on getting Stage 2 rolled out ASAP.

Context

Designing streets for and with the people who live, work and play in Manukau.

Some exciting, temporary upgrades are currently being installed in Osterley Way and Amersham Way in Manukau Central.

This trial is about helping to make Manukau more attractive and accessible for all people – including children, youth and older people – no matter how they travel.

These upgrades will help to make the streets safer for people, while celebrating the culture and community of Manukau and weaving local stories and art into the places around us. This is an opportunity to try something new in this part of Manukau and learn together, as a community.

The trials are part of the ‘Manukau Streets for People’ project – led by Panuku Development Auckland and Auckland Transport, and funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The project plan and concepts were developed in partnership with local community members and community groups, who helped to identify the priorities and aspirations of the local community.

Now, we’re installing these temporary changes, and we want to know what you think about them. Use the form below to tell us what’s working, what isn’t and any ideas you have for improvements.

We’ll be listening to your feedback throughout the trial, up until 31 July 2021.

What’s happening?

As part of the project, you’ll be seeing upgrades in Osterley Way and Amersham Way from June 2021 (the start date was delayed by weather). This will include some changes to the road layout.

These changes are about:

Safety

• Improving the safety, security and accessibility for people of all ages and ability who are walking and cycling
• A shared space in Osterley Way with a one-way layout and more space for walking and cycling
• A bus-only section on Osterley Way (from Manukau Station Rd to Putney Way)

Keeping us moving

• Encouraging walking and cycling – forms of transport which are healthier for people and the environment
• A digital app showcases mana whenua stories and makes cycling and walking fun, especially between the main transport hubs, and universities

Connecting our community

• Building on the recent street upgrades in Putney Way and Barrowcliffe Place
• Installing street furniture, designed and made by locals, allowing people to rest and socialise

Celebrating our people and culture

• Celebrating Manukau’s unique people and culture through telling local stories
• Road art by mana whenua artist Amiria Puia-Taylor (The People Weaver) and local mural artist Uelese Vavelae (The 312 Hub)
• Sculptures which celebrate maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Temporary road layout changes

Stage 1: Temporary changes to Osterley Way / Manukau Square

This section of the Osterley Way will be converted to a shared space, allowing for one-way southbound (towards Putney Way) vehicles. Osterley Way is now one-way north of Putney Way. Please take care when travelling in this space as people adjust to the change.

This will allow more space for people and events. This shared space will also include street art designed by a mana whenua artist, street furniture and sculptures which celebrate maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Source: Eke Panuku Development Auckland

Update on Osterley Way Stage 1

Some photos I got of Osterley Way and Manukau Square on Monday

As noted in a previous post, turning Osterley Way into a one way street has removed northbound rat running resulting in less congestion along the Amersham Way further north. Less congestion means a safer environment for pedestrians on the Amersham Way spine that leads to Hayman Park.

From observations it looks like drivers using Putney Way know Osterley Way is one way thus they would need to go down to Davis Avenue to reach Amersham Way or Ronwood Avenue. This shows quick driver behaviour changes that will help when Stage 2 – the Bus Mall gets installed. Rather interestingly however, turning part of Osterley Way into the bus mall removes the final movement conflicts on Putney Way resulting in more efficient traffic flow (as well as removing the last of the northbound rat runners who should be using Davis Avenue or Leyton Way.

None-the-less getting the updates in semi permanence than permanence will certainly give a foundation for more humanised urban renewal of the Manukau City Centre area, and allow the expansion of the trial scheme elsewhere in Manukau.

Missing connection between Barrowcliffe Place and Osterley Way

One thing I did notice in my field visit to Osterley Way was the Barrowcliffe Place cycleway upgrade is nearing completion. This new connection will form an active modes link between the residential area in the south of Manukau and Manukau City Centre itself. Problem? We have a missing link from Manukau Station Road to Putney Way along the southern portion of Osterley Way.

The missing connection:

Behind the photo is Barrowcliffe Place and the new cycleway, across Manukau Station Road is Osterley Way heading north to the core of Manukau City Centre.

As you can see we have that missing connection between Manukau Station Road and Putney way will create a severance between two active mode areas. The instillation of the bus mall here would bridge that connection.

One other thing:

Please delineate your cycle and walking spaces on signalised crossings please.

The Stage 1 upgrades of Osterley Way as part of the Manukau Innovative Street Pilot are coming along well. But as we can see we do need the Stage 2 upgrade of the Bus Mall is needed to bridge the connections between Stage 1 and Barrowcliffe Place.

In the meantime do not forget to have your say HERE.